The 12-year-old has been selected in the NSW under-13 ice hockey team to compete at the 2017 Phil Ginsberg National Championships in Perth.

Rose departed Sydney on Tuesday for the four-day tournament which concludes on Saturday.

“It's a dream to represent NSW in a sport I love,” Rose told the Champion.

“I’m looking forward to competing against all the other states.”

Rose took up ice hockey when he was seven and follows in the footsteps of brothers Cameron and Joshua who also made state ice hockey teams.

It's a dream to represent NSW in a sport I love. - Nathan Rose

Western Australia will have home ice advantage as they look to defend their under-13 national title they won in 2016 against Victoria. NSW finished fourth.

For Rose, who plays right wing for his club team Penrith Flyers, winning is a bonus. “I like playing ice hockey because it is fun and it is a good team sport,” the Clancy Catholic College student said.